Unwanted Speed Bumps

Weston and Daddy hanging out sick on the couch.

I have always been a visual learner. Reading text with explanation just never has clicked with me. I am afraid that journaling is the very same way. So much has gone over the past couple of days, I even did my SPT, but it's on my camera--*sigh* (I didn't forget Lelly) Unfortunately, it has also caused me not wanting to document our happenings in just words. I am not the best writer, and often use my photos as a "cover up" However, life does go on and I would be kicking myself if I didn't document it. I would like to butter our trip up and make it sound like everything has gone off without a hitch. Except, that we have had a few minor bumps in this journey we call "vacation". A few hours previous to our family coming over for Weston's birthday, he was playing on the Sports Court at the neighbors house. The kids were having a little too much fun (you know where this is heading)

Ouch.

The boys watching a movie.
Doug had to place this bandage on to stop the oozing.
Needless to say, it didn't stay on long.

Weston decided to fall backwards off one of the bikes ending up with a nasty head wound After much consoling and liquid band aid he was back to our lively little boy again. Family arrived with present in tow. My MIL and Doug make a darling #3 cake. The birthday gathering was a success. Weston was ear to ear in smiles. Many thanks to our family for making his birthday a wonderful one!

Weston turns 3!

Monday was house hunting with my sister and her husband. We powered through a dozen homes in just a few hours. It was definitely clear on which homes did not work for our family. The house shown below was already under contract (so we weren't even able to look at it) I was a little bummed, but knew deep down that a two story really wasn't the home I was looking for. Our last house was a spec home that we really liked, but weren't sure about the location of the house (it was off the main street in the subdivision).

Janet and I

We explored different options with that home and decided to sleep on it. Just as we arrived back to get the kids, we got an unexpected phone call from Doug’s old mentor, JC Jackson. We have always looked up to their family and he is actually was the one who encouraged Doug to go into medical school. (I am not sure if that was a good or bad thing–ha!) Anyways, we hooked up with his wife and their two beautiful daughters for the evening.

Carrabas
Jenny, Weston, Doug, Luke,
JC, Lynn, Hannah, and Cami Jackson

Tuesday Doug and I went to a 7 am temple session hoping for some answers about the home we liked. I am never good with the inspiration thing, but Doug always has been. We decided to take the kids out to the area and drive around to get a better feel for the area. It’s a Fulton neighborhood in Chandler (those familiar to the area) and off of Ocotillo and McQueen. After driving the streets for what seemed like an hour to my kids. The house we thought we liked yesterday didn’t seem just right. So, we went and talked to the sales person to see if there were any of the same model in just a different location. It turned out there was just another spec home three streets back (that was huge for us) and another bonus was the back yard was about 1000 sq bigger (bonus for Doug). The elevation level of the home wasn’t necessarily the one we would have chosen, but the inside allowed us to choose our own carpet, tile, cabinetry, etc. We felt good about all of the above and ran it by Aaron (my BIL–aka Realtor) He did some major negotiating for us and came back explaining that the builder wanted a sum of money for the earnest deposit. A deposit that we don’t have. I went home feeling frustrated, angry, sad, upset, and in tears.

One of the Spec Homes at "Geneva Estates"

Wednesday (today) is that we are going to see if the builder will work with our situation. Deep down I don’t see what they have to loose there are over 3000 homes for sale in the valley and only 4% of those homes are selling. But, I can also understand that they also don’t want buyers to be serious, pick out there stuff and back out. The next step is talking with the lenders, builder and play the waiting game. I am crossing my fingers it works out, this home is only a few miles from Janet and and a football field away from Doug's brother. The best thing to do is look at it in a positive light. If it doesn’t happen it obviously wasn’t meant to be right? Until then we will hopefully overcome this speed bump, because I don’t want to come across any more this month!

blessing: Doug and Weston's health is restored